"If you get effort on the field, you could get crowd support. That is really starting show in significant amounts and is a real credit to everybody."

Warriors are yet to reach their 12,024 capacity this season, having last sold out for a game in May when they beat Bristol on aggregate in the play-off final thriller at Sixways.

But five of their nine home Premiership games so far have been shown live on television, which would have had a bearing on the size of their home gates.

Saturday's 12-6 win over London Irish has taken Worcester to what should be a safety mark of 34 points, 16 points clear of trouble.

But they face a stern examination over the final month of the season, with all of their remaining four games against sides currently in the top five.

Ryan's men go to second-placed Exeter on Saturday, host Wasps on 16 April, visit fifth-placed Leicester on 30 April, then play at home to champions Saracens at Sixways on the final day on 7 May.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Dave Bradley

"Clearly winning games helps, but there seems be a general uplifting of spirits in the crowd, and it does make a difference to the team. The atmosphere against Gloucester was electric.

"Before, there was a certain apathy about the place. Losing games in the last few minutes and some dour European games didn't help.

"But Francois Hougaard has come in and is already a big fans' favourite. And it's a bit of a chicken and the egg situation - the team does well, the crowd gets going and players then respond to the crowd."